Your input appreciated on this custom Ruger please.

[GAMEOVER44]

My latest addition to the family. This is my zombie apoc rifle. Opinions are what im looking for.. I traded my 2001 Winchester Model 70 chambered in 300 WSM for this-

--Ruger Bolt Action Scout Rifle
-.308 conversion to .358 Winchester
-Shilen 22" Match Grade barrel (Matte black)
-New England Custom guns Masterpiece banded front sight w/ flip up front sight w/ large bead.
-Masterpiece rear sight fully adjustable for Elevation and Windage.
-Bolt face machined and Squared to barrel.
-Warne Quick Detachable Matte black medium height scope rings.
-Zeiss Terra scope with Butler Creek flip open scope caps.
-2- 5 round mags
-2- 10 round mags



thoughts?

$2,300.00 in work and parts or just all together. And before anyone says it. I didnt lose much with my 300 WSM to the 358 Win.. the 358 is a DEVASTATING caliber that is CONTROLABLE (less recoil) that kills with Authority!

Trade also included 5 boxes of Hornady Custom 200gr ammo. Ill be buying and RELOADING 250 gr rounds soon.

 

[chicharrones]

Impressive list of modifications. Your photo is just teasing us being all in shadow.

 

[Savage99]

Congrats on getting a 358. I have hunted with it since 1966.

Does the shorter magazine protrude from the stock?

Why does the scope look so high?

 

[GAMEOVER44]

The scope sits high probably because its had medium height rings installed. I personally do not feel its too high. Especially with the Iron Sites you wouldnt want it too low to POSSIBLY catch a just a glimpse in your scope of your elevated iron site.

The 5 rounder magazine does protude JUST A TINY bit from the stock.

Sorry for the low lighting.


What I love about the scope though is just a couple turns and its detached in seconds for iron site use say at close range if ever needed or wanted.

With this barrel I should have incredible groupings and the 358 is a power house! Only 1 round through this baby. Its my baby.

 

[horsemen61]

Looks nice

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Looks like a winner to me. I've owned 300wsm, nice caliber and plenty of oomph, but I think you're right, the only thing you give up with the .358 is recoil. I have a Mauser action, might have to think about a 358 barrel for it.
P. S. I really love this site, but its starting to cost me some real money thanks to all the great info and ideas on here. Lol!

 

[sappyg]

Nice rifle plus it's in 358 Winchester. Should be a real shooter.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

It's been my experience that you need to be attuned to the front sight to even notice it in the scope.

In a rifle where you plan to use both Irons and scope, a low-mounted scope is desirable. Otherwise, the comb of the stock will either be too low for the scope, or too low for the irons.

 

[GAMEOVER44]

Oldschool your comment made me laugh, yes this is one very expensive hobby!

Vern, thank you for your input this is exactly the type of stuff im looking for. I know the scope isnt maybe of quality for this rifle but hey ..its still a Zeiss.

Im very happy with it. Heres a pic of the 300 WSM I traded for it. I hated to let the 2001 Winchester Model 70 Classic Featherweight go because that was a VERY good year for that rifle and a prime starting platform. However, once I saw how beautiful this rifle was and all the customized stuff I was in happy land. The 358 is PLENTY! I can take down ALL North American game with this.

Basically I traded a 900 Dollar rifle for a 2,300.00 Dollar one and damn is it sexy wish you guys could see the stock better.

Not to mention also in the trade was 5 boxes of Hornady Custom 200GR ammo.

This trade was with my dad, a Vietnam war vet who has worked as a gunsmith at a shop in the Detroit area since he basically got out of service. I think my dad was giving me a christmas gift. Would that be safe to assume? LOL

PSS- I keep editing this post but I have one more thing to add- The 358 I own now has a 10 round Magazine.. not that id need it and maybe its even overkill but the option is NICE wouldnt you agree? 3 rounds of 300 WSM or 10 of 358 Win.. which would you take??

 

[GAMEOVER44]

Bad news, just got off the phone with my father.

He said he put a quarter at one end of the barrel and hit the inside of it with a light and there is some rust forming.

This was on the 300 WSM I traded him for not my new 358. I have no idea how rust would form in that barrel I kept it oiled and stored in a locked case with a garbage bag over the barrel to keep the oil in so the case it was in wouldnt suck up the oil. He dont think its my fault and that it was there when he gifted me it before and never noticed.

***... I feel so bad for my dad.:banghead:

 

[bannockburn]

Nice rifle, especially in .358 Winchester. Maybe having the bag on the end of the barrel also sealed in any moisture that might have been in there.

 

[GAMEOVER44]

I think your right Bannock.

 

[ford8nr]

He said he put a quarter at one end of the barrel and hit the inside of it with a light and there is some rust forming.

What's with the quarter? I'm missing something.

Did he try running an oiled patch through it? If it's surface rust it should wipe off.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Bad news, just got off the phone with my father.

He said he put a quarter at one end of the barrel and hit the inside of it with a light and there is some rust forming.

This was on the 300 WSM I traded him for not my new 358. I have no idea how rust would form in that barrel I kept it oiled and stored in a locked case with a garbage bag over the barrel to keep the oil in so the case it was in wouldnt suck up the oil. He dont think its my fault and that it was there when he gifted me it before and never noticed.

***... I feel so bad for my dad

Before you start banging your head, run a few patches through that rifle -- Ideally, wrap the patch around an old bronze bore brush and put a good bore cleaner on it.

Then take it out and shoot it. Many a barrel in that condition will turn in gilt-edge accuracy.

 

[chicharrones]

What's with the quarter? I'm missing something.

Reflecting light up the barrel from the breech perhaps? I've used white paper for the same reason.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In the Army, you use your thumbnail for the same purpose.

But my advice stands -- before committing hari-kari, clean and lightly lube the barrel and SHOOT the thing. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[CopperFouling]

Well, that's certainly a unique rifle. Those irons are awesome.

 

[swampcrawler]

.....I need one. 358 win is an awesome cartridge.

 

[stiab]

Not sure why a custom rifle, when factory models should perform equally well at much less cost. Clark Bros. in Warrenton, VA recently had a used but like new .358 Hawkeye for $650. A M77 .358 recently sold on Gunbroker for about $700. I know where there are three .358 factory Rugers, and my Savage .358 cost much less than $2300 (you did get a great scope in the trade). Not being critical of your gun, just seems a lot of work and funds were expended to produce what is already available, although not common. I encounter the Browning .358's frequently.

 

[ford8nr]

Reflecting light up the barrel from the breech perhaps? I've used white paper for the same reason.

What's wrong with pulling the bolt and inserting a bore light? His dad works for a gunsmith.

 

[GAMEOVER44]

No, my dad is a gunsmith. As for it being that expensive thats what he said he'd sticker price it and not a penny less.

 

[MrBorland]

Not sure why a custom rifle, when factory models should perform equally well at much less cost. Clark Bros. in Warrenton, VA recently had a used but like new .358 Hawkeye for $650.

Sometimes, when you can't find exactly what you want, you gotta go custom.

I always stop at Clark Bros on my way to visit family in PA. Neat shop. Had I noticed that Hawkeye, it'd be in my safe right now.

Gameover, it's a neat rifle. I love the round, and have been thinking or re-barreling one of my rifles to .358w.

I do think you've got too much scope on it, though. I think a 1-4x24 would be a much better physical and functional fit for it.

 

[GAMEOVER44]

Mr. Borland, I didnt say it was perfect.

Although I love this scope, and you cant beat it for the money, I will be upgrading it in the future.

 

[MrBorland]

Mr. Borland, I didnt say it was perfect.

I understand. You asked for our thoughts, though.

What I love about the scope though is just a couple turns and its detached in seconds for iron site use say at close range if ever needed or wanted

That's an attribute of the rings, not the scope. Keep the QR feature, but IMO you'd be better off with a 1-4x mounted with low (QR) rings. A 1-4x will be good for close range as well as any further distance the .358 is good for, and your cheek weld won't have to be altered as much if/when going to irons.

 

[eastbank]

my late brother bought a custom 98 mauser that was in super condition in 7mm mauser that had a ruined barrel due to bad surplus ammo and poor storage, that he sent to flaigs in pa. to be rebarreled in 358 win and refinished. he put a 3x leupold scope on it and it would damn near cut bullet holes at 100yds with a 200gr bullet at 2500fps. when he passed he lived in texas and i never got to buy it off his widow. eastbank.